When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), ChatGPT is all the rage these days. But did you know that AI isn't only for generating content? A growing number of people have started using this tool or platform as an alternative search engine.
Enter ChatGPT search, a game-changer in the online search industry. When searching for data, this AI-powered tool or platform provides information with links to relevant resources. So, optimizing your content for ChatGPT is one of the search engine optimization (SEO) trends to watch out for.
In this article, we'll cover the use of SEO for ChatGPT in 2025—and beyond. As a digital marketer, learn how to optimize your content for this popular platform. Read on.
The Use of SEO for ChatGPT
The use of AI tools in digital marketing is prevalent in today's digital landscape. Think of utilizing AI-powered software for routine, repetitive tasks and Chatbots for customer support. Consider leveraging ChatGPT to generate targeted social media, content, and email marketing messages.
Speaking of AI, ChatGPT is one of the most popular technologies out there. Developed by OpenAI in 2015 and launched in 2022, it can create content pieces, such as articles, images, and even codes. With the release of GPT-1 to GPT-4 (language models trained on vast datasets), this genAI platform has quickly become a go-to platform for content generation.
Today, ChatGPT has approximately 300 million weekly active users—a 20% growth since October 2024. It has earned 250 million users added in just 23 months—from January 2023 to December 2024. And this AI-powered platform shows no signs of stopping or even slowing down.
Source: demandsage.com
Recently, OpenAI partnered with Apple to integrate ChatGPT into the Apple Intelligence feature of their operating systems. Just before the year ends, it introduced ChatGPT search, allowing users to have real-time access to up-to-date information.
Find out more about ChatGPT search below.
What is ChatGPT search, and how does it work?
ChatGPT search is one of the platform's features that can access data from the Internet and offer users real-time data. It provides users with timely and relevant answers to their queries and links to their online sources. It became readily available to people in December 2024.
The steps are easy and simple:
To use ChatGPT search, start by accessing your account. Then, simply click on the web search icon in the text box to enter your query. Based on your question, it will automatically determine if a web search is necessary.
Source: openai.com
But how exactly does it work?
Think of web scraping tools extracting data from the Internet, stored in ChatGPT's database. Amidst the large datasets, the platform provides users with the most relevant and timely information according to their queries. These pieces of information have links to their Internet sources, as shown below:
Source: chatGPT.com
Discover the benefits of SEO for ChatGPT search below.
Why SEO matters for ChatGPT search
ChatGPT gets a lot of traffic almost every day, meaning it's accessed by several users for content generation and research. In fact, there has been a significant spike, reaching 3.7 billion visits in October 2024. The table below paints a clear picture of this traffic growth this year:
Source: demandsage.com
With the recent release of ChatGPT search, more and more people will use the platform as an alternative search engine.
What does this imply? You must employ SEO to ensure your content will appear right before your target audience's eyes for relevant searches on the platform.
That said, here's why SEO matters for ChatGPT search:
- Guaranteed discoverability: Optimizing your content makes it discoverable on the ChatGPT platform for relevant searches and your target users.
- Increased brand recognition: Your content discoverability on the ChatGPT platform boosts your brand awareness.
- Ensured user engagement: AI SEO enhances the user experience (UX) through content personalization, letting you engage more with your prospects.
- Established thought leadership: When ChatGPT chooses your content over others for relevant searches, it means you're a thought leader in your industry.
- Overall business success: SEO for ChatGPT search contributes to your success. For example, optimizing an article about custom t-shirts for ChatGPT will increase your site traffic, user engagement, lead generation, and sales conversion.
Learn how to optimize your content for ChatGPT search in the next section.
How To Boost Your SEO for ChatGPT Search
Earlier, you learned what ChatGPT search is and why SEO is important. Now, it's time to play with AI to benefit your marketing. The global AI market could grow from $305.90 billion in 2024 to $738.80 billion by 2030 at a 15.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR)—capitalize on it!
Source: statista.com
ChatGPT's expansion mirrors AI's market growth—and the introduction of ChatGPT search is a perfect example. Who knows? It could revolutionize the search engine industry, even surpassing Google as a go-to source for information.
That's why you'll do what it takes to optimize your content for ChatGPT. Here's how:
1. Optimize for natural language queries
The most popular genAI platform works by using natural language. Specifically, ChatGPT search lets users ask for queries in a conversational manner. So, using conversational keywords and long-tail phrases is best for optimization—but keyword research for SEO is key!
- Use conversational keywords. On ChatGPT, users give instructions and ask questions using natural language. Incorporating casual phrases into your content makes it discoverable on the platform.
- Opt for long-tail phrases. Long-tail keywords boost SEO best, since users ask queries in a conversational manner. Therefore, long phrases apply better in ChatGPT than short phrases on Google.
Max Tang, CMO at GEEKOM, suggests optimizing your content for natural language queries on ChatGPT search.
Tang says, "ChatGPT thrives on natural language, so crafting content with conversational keywords and phrases is essential. Users search the way they speak, so aligning with that pattern makes your content more discoverable. Long-tail keywords are especially effective, as they mirror the conversational style of most queries."
2. Have a content structure and structured data
As with any SEO tactic, it's crucial to structure your content and data for crawlability and indexing. This makes your web page crawlable by the AI algorithms and discoverable on the ChatGPT platform. That said, here's what you need to consider:
- Content format: Start by optimizing your content with title tags and meta descriptions. Then, make sure to add headings, subheadings, and bullet lists. Lastly, use short paragraphs and avoid blocks of text for readability.
- Structured data: Use schema markup not only for Google but also for ChatGPT. It can help AI interpret and sort the data within your content. That way, the algorithms will choose your content for relevant searches on the platform.
Tom Golubovich, Head of Marketing & Media Relations at Ninja Transfers, recommends structuring content and data for ChatGPT search.
Golubovich explains, "Structuring your content is key to standing out on ChatGPT. Use clear title tags, headings, and bullet points for readability, and back it up with schema markup to help AI understand your data. This approach ensures your content is both crawlable and relevant for natural language queries."
3. Offer direct and concise answers to FAQs
When creating content, think of how it will resonate with your target audience on the platform. Direct and concise answers are favoured by ChatGPT search since they appeal most to the users. When optimizing content for ChatGPT search, here's what to keep in mind:
- Be straight to the point. Soon after developing a content title, consider frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to your topic. More importantly, answer each with straightforward statements for relevance and readability.
- Keep it short and simple. KISS is a key writing concept that generally applies to almost all types of content, including answers to ChaTGPT searches. Of course, ChatGPT wants to ensure that its answers are comprehensible for its users.
Take it from Rodger Desai, CEO of Prove. They apply the KISS concept to their blog posts and other content:
Source: prove.com
Desai advises, "Focus on FAQs related to your topic and answer them with straightforward, easy-to-read statements. Simplicity not only improves readability but also increases the chances of your content being featured in user queries."
4. Support your claims with links and sources
As cited, link building and source citations play a critical part in ChatGPT search. The platform generates relevant content for user queries with links to their web sources. So, consider these two aspects when optimizing your content. Here's how:
- Establish quality links: These links should come from respected sources with high domain authority (DA). Think of websites of news organizations, educational institutions, research companies, and industry leaders.
- Include credible citations: If possible, include references in your content, as they add authority and credibility to it. ChatGPT search will most likely favour content with reputable citations, since they also provide sources of information.
Learn from Chris Aubeeluck, Head of Sales and Marketing at Osbornes Law. They add links and sources to their law-related content. "Quality links from reputable sites boost authority, while well-placed citations add credibility to your content. This not only improves user trust but also increases the likelihood of your content being featured in relevant searches."
5. Create high-quality content
Content is—and will always be—king in the digital world. However, only high-quality content resonates with the users, whether on Google or ChatGPT. As it can be a bit subjective, consider the following key factors:
- Ensure value and relevancy. How can your content solve users' problems, meet their needs, or educate them? Is this piece of content relevant to your prospects?
- Establish EEAT for the user experience. This stands for experience, expertise, authority, and trust, which are the ingredients for high-quality content. Demonstrate these attributes in your content!
Source: static.googleusercontent.com
- Incorporate visuals: It's best to add these visuals to your content not only for readability but for credibility. Think of industry data, key statistics, and infographics. Consider striking product photos and compelling images.
Brooke Webber, Head of Marketing at Ninja Patches, emphasizes the value of high-quality content in SEO.
Webber shares, "High-quality content is non-negotiable when it comes to SEO, especially for ChatGPT. It's about offering real value—solving problems and answering questions in a way that resonates with your audience. Don't forget to back it up with expertise, authority, and trust, and use visuals to make your content even more engaging and credible."
Final Words
ChatGPT opens doorways to many possibilities in the world of AI. Specifically, the recent release of ChatGPT search is such a game-changer in the search industry. It offers users pieces of information with links to references that they actually need.
But as a website owner or content creator, embrace SEO for ChatGPT with open arms. Consider optimizing your content or website for this popular platform, from using conversational and long-tail keywords to publishing relevant and valuable content.
By implementing ChatGPT SEO, you can boost your site's discoverability and brand awareness. You can also promote user engagement and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Ultimately, this can contribute to your overall business success!
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